Delhi accounted for the maximum number of crimes against Northeastern people in the last three years. The last one year recorded an over 300% increase in such crimes. 232 cases were registered in Delhi until October this year which was up from 71 in 2013 and 55 in 2012. Bangalore had seven such cases registered till October this year which is against four last year. Gurgaon accounted for seven until November this year against only two in 2012. Mumbai registered no cases in the last three years. Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rajju said that investigation of such cases was to be done by the respective state governments. The Centre had however issued advisories to all states and Union Territories in 2012, 2013 and 2014. States have been asked to put in place a stringent mechanism to deal with crimes against Northeastern people. Delhi police have set up a special helpline in February this year to address grievances of such people living in Delhi. Bangalore and Gurgaon police are operating similar helplines. Most of the states have appointed nodal officers to address the grievances of people from the Northeast.
Such statistics only show the extent of the problem and do not solve it. The solution lies in changing the mindset of local people and making Northeastern people integrate with them. Implementation of the Bezbaruah Committee recommendations will otherwise be of no avail. The hostility to Northeastern youth in the above cities is due largely to pressure on the employment situation antagonizing locals. What is needed is more jobs for more young people.
